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Seasonal distribution of microplastics in the surface waters of the Yellow Sea, China
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A four-season survey of the Yellow Sea found microplastics present year-round at an average concentration of 0.63 particles per cubic meter, with spring showing the highest abundance — likely driven by river runoff and wind patterns. Polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET were the dominant plastic types, providing baseline data critical for assessing long-term trends in one of the world's most economically important semi-enclosed seas.
Different studies are filling the gaps in the distribution map of global marine microplastics. However, the data on the seasonal variation is relatively limited, which may lead to overestimation or underestimation of the distribution level of microplastics. To understand baseline data and seasonal variations of the microplastics in the surface seawater of the Yellow Sea, a survey over four seasons was conducted during 2017-2018. Microplastics were collected using a 330 μm manta net. It was found that the abundance of microplastics was 0.63 ± 0.57 particles/m. The seasonal abundance variation was spring > summer ≈ winter > autumn. The main categories were foam, line, and fragments, accounting for 32 %, 19 %, and 19 % of the total amount, respectively, and the dominant components were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, accounting for 38 %, 22 %, and 22 % of particles, respectively. The factors affecting the variation included wind-induced mixing, river input, and environmental topography.
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Seasonal variation in the concentrations and characteristics of micro- and meso-plastics in the surface seawater of Jiaozhou Bay, China, was quantified across four seasons. Concentrations peaked in spring and were lowest in winter, suggesting seasonal inputs from runoff and human activity drive plastic abundance in this semi-enclosed coastal bay.
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Surface seawater in the South Yellow Sea contained higher microplastic concentrations in winter than spring or summer, with fibers making up about 90% of particles and polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers. Seasonal variation in plastic characteristics, especially in summer, reflected greater terrestrial inputs during warmer months.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across the North Yellow Sea, documenting their occurrence, distribution, and characteristics, and finding widespread contamination with higher concentrations in coastal areas and near river inputs.
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Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water of the lower Yellow River near its estuary, finding that 93.12% were fibers, 87.94% were under 200 μm, and the main polymers were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The study provides baseline data on the types and distribution of microplastics entering the Bohai Sea from one of China's major rivers.
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across water, sediment, and soil samples in the Yellow River Delta of China. The study found microplastic concentrations ranging from 0.5 to nearly 8 particles per liter in water and up to 4,200 particles per kilogram in sediments, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common polymer types, indicating widespread plastic contamination in this coastal environment.
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